Butter tub display support



Patented Nov. 17, 1936 UNITED STATES @PIE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in display supports` and more particularly to a sanitary support for butter tubs.

One of the principal features of the invention resides in a display support for dairies, grocery stores, delicatessen stores or the like for supporting the open end of a butter tub in an easily accesysible position within an ice box or refrigerator compartment, and for closing the space between the Walls of the door opening of the ice box or refrigerator to prevent the entrance of hot air into the refrigerator compartment during the opening of the compartment door which is necessary to gain access thereto for dispensing of butter l5 from the tub.

Another feature of the invention is to provide a sanitary display support which supports the butter tub in a forwardly tilted position to facilitate easy access to the open end of the butter tub when dispensing butter therefrom.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a butter tub support which is simple and inexpensive of construction, easy to clean in order to maintain the same in a sanitary condition, and adaptable for use in conjunction with ice boxes and refrigerators now in use.

Other features of the invention will appear as the following specification is proceeded with and when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of an ice box or refrigerator showing the invention in use therewith, the refrigerator compartment door being shown open.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2 2 of Figure 1, but showing the refrigerator door in closed position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the mid-portions of the support with the end of a butter tub seated thereon.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the butter tub support per se.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, the numeral I8 designates the butter tub display support in its entirety and which is shown as being constructed from a single sheet of metal bent into the form to be presently explained. Any rigid material may be employed in the construction of the support, but for sanitary reasons, it is preferable to construct the same of porcelain, Monel metal or the like. The support I0 includes a pair of end walls or flanges I I--I I which are connected by an inclined panel or front wall I2, the said wall having a central circular opening I3 therein of a size to snugly receive the open end of a butter tube to be supported. Extending from the panel I2 outwardly from that side opposite from which the anges or end walls II-II extend, is a semi-circular shaped flange or rest I4. The rest I4 extends "Il approximately about the lower half of the opening I3 and projects from the walls of the opening I3.

, Extending outwardly at an angle from the panel I2 on that side joined by the end walls 10 I I-I I, is a bottom flange or ledge I5 which extends the width of the panel I2 and joins the bottom of the end walls I I-I I.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have illustrated the invention in use, wherein a fragmen- 15 tary portion of an ice box or refrigerator I6 is shown, the same having a refrigerator compartment I'I accessible through a door opening I8 in the front of the refrigerator and which opening may be closed by vertically sliding door I9.

The shape of the door opening I8 shown in the drawing is substantially rectangular, and therefore the panel I2 is of a like shape and size to snugly t within the walls of the opening I8, with the ledge I5 resting upon the bottom of the com- 25 partment Il and the vertical straight edges of the end walls I I being disposed parallel with the path of movement of the door I9 but out of the path of movement thereof so as not to interfere with the free sliding movement of the door to open and 30 closed position. The top edges of the end walls I I and panel I2 fit against the side walls and top wall respectively of the door opening I8, thus a support I lls the space of the door opening. When the support III is in this position, the panel 35 I2 is disposed in an upwardly and rearwardly in clined position as Shown in Figure 2 for the purpose of supporting the butter tub 20 in a forwardly tilted position. The open end of the butter tub 20 extends through the opening I3 40 and rests upon the flange I4. The open end of the butter tub serves to close the opening I3 and to expose the open end of the butter tub for the dispensing of the same upon the opening of the door I9. 45

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the butter tub 20 is supported with its open end facing the door opening I8 and with its opposite end resting upon the bottom of the refrigerator compartment I'I. Any particles of butter 50 which may accidentally drop from the open end of the tub during dispensing of the butter will be caught upon the ledge I5, which ledge is kept in a sanitary condition at all times.

When it is desired to clean the refrigerator 55 compartment II, the support l may be removed from the door opening to enable free access to the compartment. Also, the removal of the support permits of the thorough cleansing of the same in order to maintain the support in a sanitary condition.

When a butter tub is in a supported position within the support Ill, the support serves to close the space between the butter tub and the walls of the door opening to exclude the entrance of hot air into the refrigerator compartment I1 when the door I9 is opened to gain access to the butter tub for the dispensing of butter therefrom.

The top of one of. the end walls Il may be cut away as at 2| to form a ledge upon which a receptacle may be hung for the support of a butter knife or other implements used in the dispensing of butter from the tub.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the most practical embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

l. A tub display support comprising a fiat panel of. a size and shape to t into and close the door opening of a refrigerator compartment, said panel having an opening therein to receive the open end of a tub, end ilanges extending angularly and forwardly from said panel, and a bottom flange extending forwardly from said panel and connecting the lower ends of said end flanges.

2. A tub display support comprising a at panel of a size and shape to fit into and close the door opening of a refrigerator compartment, said panel having an opening therein to receive the open end of. a tub, end flanges extending angularly and forwardly from said panel, a bottom flange extending forwardly from said panel and connecting the lower ends of said end flanges, and a flange extending rearwardly of said panel from the lower half of the walls of said opening.

3. A tub display support constructed of a single sheet of material comprising a rearwardly inclined panel of a shape to snugly t within the Walls of the door opening of a refrigerator compartment and having a central opening therein, a tub supporting flange extending rearwardly from said panel from the lower half of the walls of said Opening, end walls extending forwardly from the side edges of, said panel and extending the height thereof, and a spillage ledge extending forwardly from said panel at the bottom edge thereof with its ends meeting said end walls.

CHARLES RAFFA. 

